New hybrid CDs and DVDs
Specialists at world corporations are however working out subsequent formats and types of disc. It is all about the idea of additional improvements and maximal use of the potential of the already classic CD and DVD. The aim is also an increase in the capacity of mediums, improvement in the quality of recording and minimizing the costs of production. Exactly this search and aim to create a more ideal medium led to the creation of DVDplus and Dual Disc.
DVDplus and Dual Disc are hybrid mediums constituting a combination of CD and DVD. Two-sided layout allows recording of music files in the case of the CD side. The DVD side – depending on whether it is DVD Plus or Dual Disc – allows the recording of data, video or audio files. GM Records has signed a licence with DVDplus International Inc. due to the greater competitiveness and number of advantages of the DVDplus medium.
DVDplus is a medium which appears in three formats:
• DVDplus – a combination of Audio and Video,
• DVD Audio© plus – traditional CD medium combined with the DVD Audio format,
• DVD Rom© plus – combination of Video with CD Rom and games.
Dual Disc only has one format.
The basics for the creation of both mediums were the same technology and patents. In spite of this, DVDplus is characterised by greater possibilities. The differences between the disc types are introduced by the table.
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PARAMETERS
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DVDplus
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DualDisc
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CD-Audio capacity
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80 min.
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60 min.
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Recording possibilities
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DVD side – laser recording
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No possibility
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Format
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Free CD and DVD format
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Only CD format – Audio and DVD Video
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Sound
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No limitation
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DVD side – sound at least in Stereo/Mono (16bit) LCPM format
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Contents
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No limitation
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DVD side – at least as much information as on the CD side
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In agreement with the table, the fundamental differences between the mediums are their capacity, sound capabilities and number of formats. DVDplus is characterised by a decidedly higher number of suggestions. The relevant limitation for the Dual Disc medium is the fact that there are links between the CD and DVD sides in the layer of the amount of information contained on them. The difference between DVDplus and DualDisc is also measured by such parameters as consistency with equipment on which these discs are supposed to be played back. On DualDisc’s website, information about the lack of compatibility of the medium with some players can be found. As a result of this, the manufacturers of DualDiscs have the obligation to warn users. In the case of DVDplus the compatibility with the player used is guaranteed, it does not require a change in home multimedia equipment.
The basic advantage of DVDplus and DualDisc, to which our attention should be directed, is their dual-functionality. Until now in the Polish market there hasn’t been any medium which would allow music material and films to be placed on both sides of a disc. The version DVD Rom © plus allows computer games to be recorded on the disc. The possibilities of using the DVDplus medium can certainly be discovered by Polish phonographic companies, film studios and manufacturers of computer games quite soon. The potential of DVDplus enables re-editing of music discs or films in newly enriched and more attractive versions for the recipient, only extended by a soundtrack with the surround sound system DTS. To the computer games manufacturers, DVDplus offers completely new possibilities to win over clients, and who on the disc, except for principal content – a computer game – can also add some other bonus in the form of, for example, a film.
The final outcome shows that DVDplus is a medium with more attractive possibilities, which is confirmed by the argument that DVDplus was trusted by such companies as: BMG, EMI or ZYX.